SOL-519-17-000001_Senior_A&A_Specialist.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

SOL-519-17-000001

SENIOR ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE (S/A&A) SPECIALIST

USAID/EL SALVADOR

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-519-17-000001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 20, 2016

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: January 4, 2017 (5:00 pm El Salvador/Local Time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Acquisition & Assistance (S/A&A)

Specialist

5. MARKET VALUE: $73,846 to $96,004 equivalent to a GS-13. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Ten (10) months, pending availability of funding.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Salvador, El Salvador.

8. CLEARANCES: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a

Security Clearance at the “Facility Access” level and a Medical Clearance within a reasonable period of time. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents

10. POINTS OF CONTACT: Irma de Escolán, Acquisition Specialist

Executive Office, USAID/El Salvador Telephone: (503) 2501-3428 Fax: (503) 2298-0885 E-mail: iescolan@usaid.gov

Ingrid Brito, Acquisition & Assistance Specialist Regional Office of Acquisition & Assistance, USAID/El Salvador Telephone: (503) 2501-3150 Fax: (503) 2298-0885 E-mail: ibrito@usaid.gov

11. STATEMENT OF WORK:

A. Background

The Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance (ROAA) is the Mission’s actuating component for the acquisition of services necessary for program development and delivery. The Senior A&A specialist takes authorized program objectives and through A&A business processes, recommends and creates A&A instruments for the acquisition of necessary goods and services for the program objective(s) Again, using indicated business processes and methods, assures receipt of conforming goods/services or asserts appropriate remedies.

B. Duties and Responsibilities of the Position Except in those cases where authority to make A&A decisions or take A&A actions is vested by law or regulation in the ROAA, or specifically withheld by ROAA, the Senior A&A Specialist will have semi-autonomous responsibility to perform the work that follows:

The S/A&A Specialist will participate in procurement planning activities pertaining to the assigned portfolio(s) which may include providing advice to Office heads on the development of A&A components of authorization and approval documents, e.g., PAD, ARRAD, CRB, and milestone activities for the A&A cycle. He/she will attempt to gage the extent of property acquisition necessary for the program to right-size a property administration effort.

The S/A&A Specialist will attend and participate in project review and planning venues providing guidance/updates as needed to Office heads, e.g., critiques of proposed A&A award types, evaluation criteria, performance versus specification based work descriptions, contemplated non-competitive award(s), A&A award milestones, and the use of HQ, OAA Template guidance, etc.

The S/A&A Specialist provides advice to Mission personnel on resolution of special procurement problems associated with waiver requests, and expediting of deliveries.

The specialist reviews the GLAAS request and its support documents (PAD, IGCE, IAP, etc.) for conformity to policy and/or regulatory requirements. He/she will make “Go/No Go” recommendations for acceptance of the GLAAS request to the Director, OAA. The specialist will prosecute remediation of imperfect GLAAS requests with the applicable technical /program office based upon guidance from the Director, OAA. The specialist will monitor clearance request packages through the Senior Management Review and CRB process at HQ, USAID.

Conforming or GLAAS requests authorized by the Director, OAA, are then incorporated into the ROAA work plan for the ultimate accomplishment of the GLAAS request. The Senior A&A Specialist will engage GLAAS workflow to accomplish GLAAS business processes leading to creation of the solicitation, including production and registration of documents in GLAAS for the production of the archival award folder in ASIST and milestone updates. At the conclusion of indicated GLAAS business processes including responding to CRB guidance, the specialist will engage/interact with the appropriate Federal Government Portal to seek interest or publicize the A&A opportunity represented by the GLAAS request to the interested, for profit or nonprofit community.

He/she will organize or conduct exchanges/conferences, as authorized and indicated, to insure that the requirements of the GLAAS request are fully understood by interested parties before seeking concrete, solicitation responses from prospective interested parties. The specialist may find it necessary to modify the solicitation document streamlining provision or clausal coverage or, eliminating ambiguities resulting from exchanges/conferences or, subject matter expertise. All such changes will be effected as a GLAAS business process and interaction with the appropriate Federal Government Portal.

The S/A&A Specialist will arrange for the receipt, handling, and security of all bid/proposal/application material as Sensitive But Unclassified information (SBU) as prescribed at 12 FAM 540.

He/she will guide the A&A team members e.g., AOR/COR, cost/audit support, system reviewers, property administrator, engineer, etc., in review of material for conformity to the solicitation requirement(s), applying such remedial actions as indicated or directed by the cognizant AO/CO.

In contemplation of award type(s), milestone activities, total estimated cost of the award, A&A external team membership participation, e.g. auditors, system reviewer(s), etc., organize the material for evaluation and recommendation by team member(s) using the applicable OAA Evaluation template guide(s). The specialist will review recommendation(s) and support document(s) for adequacy of process and purpose before synthesizing recommendation(s). He/she will reaffirm the negotiation strategy with guidance from the AO/CO and commence negotiation of an award. At negotiation end, the specialist will complete documentation of all business decisions reached pertaining to a recommended award including any divergence(s) from the negotiation objective(s), audit report suggestion(s), or structured profit/fee analysis, an affirmative determination of responsibility, and screening potential awardees against Exclusion of Award lists(s) for prohibited awards, etc., using the appropriate Memorandum of Negotiation template.

Upon receipt of CRB and Senior Management Review approval or in the absence thereof, the specialist prepares the award documents to comply with received review comments, and/or recommends its award to the Source Selection Authority (SSA).

He/she will, prior to obligation of the award, prepare the technical representative appointment letter in accordance with the applicable template. After obligation of the award, make required distribution of document(s) and completes the archival pre-solicitation, solicitation and award files for release to the ASIST repository.

The S/A&A Specialist will respond to protests by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history. He/she will work with the Regional Legal Office (RLO) in preparing the Agency's litigation file and/or ROAA appeal package for adjudication by the GAO or the Senior Procurement Executive as appropriate. Provides ongoing technical advice and recommendations to both contracting and technical office personnel. Acts as a liaison to various offices in the appeal matter.

The S/A&A Specialist determines the need for formal conference/orientation or individual briefings to advise technical representatives and/or awardees on their administration/performance responsibilities incumbent in their award.

The S/A&A Specialist supports the Contracting/Agreement Officer by providing

A&A administration sufficient to ensure that the awardee delivers the required goods or services in a timely manner to achieve the objectives of the Agency’s projects or programs or, adequate consideration. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following administrative tasks:

Performance surveillance and reporting including periodic site visits;

Property administration;

Request(s) for equitable adjustment Acquire award audit services, indirect cost rate assistance or, system review(s);

Allowance/disallowance of costs;

Change of name or Novation agreements;

Modifications (funding, change order, conversion of terminations, redirection of effort, stop/suspension of work, and Government delay of work);

Assertion of the Government’s performance rights, e.g., preparation of cure notices or show cause letters, ensuring the award file is suitably documented for the remedy taken;

Reviews sub-award requests (and documentation) for business choices/processes required by policy or regulation. Reviews include requests for fixed-price and flexibly priced sub-awards of a competitive/non-competitive nature for various service or commodity needs;

The S/A&A Specialist will review the official award files to ensure no pending administrative action is outstanding; that the award is complete in every aspect and ready to close, and to obtain approval of all closeout documentation.

The S/A&A Specialist shall ensure that the necessary documentation (e.g., memoranda, correspondence, technical papers, subcontract consent requests, authority to make grants under contracts, salary and personnel approvals, equipment approvals, and Congressional inquiries) for all current A&A actions are maintained according to USAID records management regulations.

He/she may negotiate Participating Agency Services Agreements (PASA) and

Participating Agency Program Agreements (PAPA) in accordance with statutory and procedural regulations and general agreements with other Federal agencies.

Negotiations include prices, terms, special conditions, and amendments. Coordinates PASA's and PAPA’s with officials in participating Federal agencies and with Mission officials as necessary.

The S/A&A Specialist may be required to evaluate/validate development projects or programs for acceptability under host country contracting. This will require familiarity with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness which commits donors to using host country systems.

Conducts Policy Research, Analysis, and Interpretation.

C. Supervisory Relationship and Controls

Contractor will work under one level of supervision (ROAA) and is semi-autonomous in decision making except in those circumstances reserved in law for the CO/AO. He will also be able to assist in training/mentoring newly hired A&A specialists.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant major. However, relevant, extensive work experience (at least 15 years), if demonstrably successful, may substitute for or, be given appropriate consideration for candidates having completed at least 24 credits hours of study in a relevant major towards a Baccalaureate degree.

Language Proficiency: English (Fluent) and Spanish (at least a 2/2)

Relevant Work Experience: at least 10 of progressively responsible professional experience in acquisition and assistance functions. Demonstrated prior experience in the full range of responsibilities: procurement planning, solicitation, analysis and evaluation of proposals, negotiation and award of acquisition and assistance instruments, cost and price analysis, administration, termination, negotiation of changes, execution of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance and disposition of claims. Experience that demonstrates pre-award negotiation skills and experience in making formal presentations and in post award administration.

Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of federal contracting and assistance principles, laws, statutes, Executive Orders, regulations and procedures applicable to pre-award and/or post-award actions sufficient to procure and/or administer contracts, grants and cooperative agreements for a variety of specialized equipment, services, and/or construction, or to conduct studies of problem areas and develop standard methods and operating procedures.

Knowledge of the following:

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR) Contract Information Bulletins (CIBS) / Acquisition & Assistance Policy

Directives (AAPDs) Office of Procurement Administrative Memoranda (OPAMS) USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations as appropriate to USAID.

Familiarity with business practices and market conditions applicable to program and technical requirements is required sufficient to evaluate such actions as bid responsiveness, contractor responsibility, and/or contractor performance.

Abilities & Skills:

Demonstrated ability to work independently in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and manage complex negotiations and meetings. Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently with little supervision; and ability to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under pressure and to demonstrate extreme flexibility to manage more than one activity at a time.

Demonstrated ability to work collegially with technical officers, peers, and supervisors with good interpersonal skills and past performance in working effectively in a team environment. S/he must be able to adhere to high standards of professional conduct. Ability to lead an integrated A&A team, provide strategic advice on highly complex and time sensitive procurements.

Demonstrated ability to communicate complex and difficult policy and programmatic issues understandably to knowledgeable laypersons without oversimplifying.

Demonstrated ability to conduct contract negotiations. Demonstrated skills in managerial and coordinative activities sufficient to conduct a variety of contractual actions occurring concurrently.

Excellent oral and written English communications skills and proven ability to produce technical documents.

Ability in the use of computers and computer software, especially Word and Excel.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Relevant Work Experience: ( 30 points) Knowledge: (30 points) Abilities & Skills: ( 20 points) Education: (10 points) Language: (10 points)

IV. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All of the following information must be included in the application package in order for the package to be considered complete:

1. A signed cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the candidate’s qualifications meet the work requirements;

2. A Curriculum Vitae which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience and career achievements;

3. A completed and signed USPSC Application Form, a302-3 (Offeror Information for

Personal Services Contracts), which can be found at the following website, https://www.usaid.gov/forms/;

4. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references that have knowledge of the applicant’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references;

5. A signed written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position;

6. All correspondence and attachments must reference the Solicitation Number;

7. Application packages must be submitted electronically to iescolan@usaid.gov, and copy ibrito@usaid.gov no later than 5:00 pm on January 4, 2017 (El Salvador/Local Time).

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the CO informs the successful applicant that he/she has been selected and as needed, the CO will provide the candidate with instructions to complete and submit the following forms.

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

5. Finger Print Card (FD-258

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE: A contractor meeting the definition of a U.S.

Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax [including differentials and allowances), but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance.)

BENEFITS:

(1) Employer’s FICA Contribution

(2) Contribution toward Health & Life insurance

(3) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(5) Annual & Sick Leave

ALLOWANCES* (If Applicable):

(1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(6) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(7) Education Travel (Section 280)

(8) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

(10) Danger Pay (Section 650)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income Taxes.

VIII. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICIY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) AND CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs

AAPDs and CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and the PSC General Provisions in accordance with USAID regulations and contracts. These documents can be found at this website: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D applies to PSCs and can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

USAID/El Salvador expects to award a personal services contract for a US Citizen commencing as early as practically possible subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is El Salvador.

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